Weatherby Vanguard Camilla .243 Win 20″ Bolt Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla .243 Win 20″ Bolt Rifle? It's a women-specific bolt-action rifle engineered with a 13-inch length of pull, higher comb, and slim grip geometry to properly fit smaller-statured shooters while maintaining Weatherby's precision standards. This rifle delivers sub-MOA accuracy via its cold hammer-forged 20-inch barrel and match-grade adjustable trigger. Built around a fluted, one-piece machined bolt and a 5+1 round detachable magazine, the Camilla balances between a compact 39.5-inch overall length and a 1-in-10″ twist rate optimized for .243 Winchester hunting and varmint rounds.
What is the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla used for?
The Weatherby Vanguard Camilla is primarily used for medium-game hunting and varmint control at ranges up to 400 yards. Its .243 Winchester chambering generates manageable recoil around 12 ft-lbs, making it suitable for extended range sessions or youth shooters. The 20-inch barrel and 7-pound weight reduce carrying fatigue during stalk hunts, while the 1-in-10″ twist stabilizes bullets from 55 to 100 grains for consistent terminal ballistics on whitetail, pronghorn, and coyote.
How does the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla compare to the Stevens 334 .243 Win?
The Weatherby Vanguard Camilla provides superior mechanical accuracy and trigger adjustment versus the Stevens 334 .243 Win, but costs approximately $350 more. Weatherby's guaranteed sub-MOA performance relies on a cold hammer-forged barrel and a two-stage adjustable trigger with a crisp 3.5-pound break, whereas the Stevens 334 uses a button-rifled barrel and a basic single-stage trigger. The Camilla's fiberglass stock offers more precise ergonomic contouring than the Stevens' injection-molded polymer, particularly for shooters with a 13-13.5-inch length of pull requirement.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Weatherby Vanguard Camilla weighs 7 pounds (3.18 kg) with an empty magazine and measures 39.5 inches (1003 mm) overall length with a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel. Its 13-inch (330 mm) length of pull and slim 1.4-inch (35.6 mm) pistol grip circumference provide a distinct advantage for shooters with hand sizes below the 50th percentile. The receiver measures 8.7 inches (221 mm) from the recoil lug to the tang, allowing most standard 30mm scope rings to mount without interfering with bolt rotation.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for shooters who require magnum cartridge power or who have a length of pull exceeding 14 inches. The .243 Winchester generates approximately 2,950 fps with an 80-grain bullet, which lacks the energy for ethical elk or moose beyond 250 yards. Taller individuals, particularly those with arm lengths over 34 inches from shoulder to fingertip, will find the 13-inch stock uncomfortably short, forcing an unnatural head position behind optics. Consider the full-size Stevens 334 in .308 Winchester for heavier game and standard adult dimensions.
What's in the box?
The Weatherby Vanguard Camilla ships with the rifle, one 5-round steel detachable magazine, a thread protector for the ½x28 muzzle threads, and the Weatherby Limited Lifetime Warranty documentation. It does not include scope bases, rings, or a sling—budget an additional $80-150 for a Picatinny rail and quality rings. The trigger adjustment tool is included, allowing pull weight adjustment from 2.5 to 4.5 pounds via two hex screws located inside the trigger housing.
Is the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla worth it at $950.99?
At $950.99, the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla is worth the investment for shooters who specifically need its ergonomic dimensions and guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy. You're paying for a cold hammer-forged barrel, a fully adjustable two-stage trigger, and a hand-laid fiberglass stock—features absent from most rifles under $800. Compared to custom stock shortening and bedding on a standard rifle, which costs $300-500, the Camilla's out-of-the-box fit represents significant value. If generic fit suffices, the Stevens 334 in .243 Winchester at $600 provides basic functionality without the precision guarantee.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy with qualifying ammunition—validated by three-shot groups at 100 yards
- 13-inch length of pull and 1.4-inch grip circumference—specifically engineered for shooters under 5'6"
- Match-quality two-stage adjustable trigger—crisp break adjustable from 2.5 to 4.5 pounds
- Cold hammer-forged 20-inch barrel with ½x28 threads—provides consistent 1-in-10″ twist for bullet stabilization
Trade-offs
- No included scope mounting hardware—requires $80-150 additional investment for bases and rings
- Limited to .243 Winchester chambering—not suitable for larger game like elk beyond 250 yards
- Fiberglass stock lacks adjustable cheek piece—optics alignment depends on fixed comb height
- 5-round magazine capacity—some states restrict hunting to 3+1, making extra capacity unusable
Key attributes
| upc | 747115456413 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | VWC243NR0T |
| shipping weight | 8.7 |
| product type | Rifle |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| caliber/gauge | .243 Winchester |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 20" |
| package width | 6.6 |
| package height | 2.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor?
- Yes, the 20-inch barrel is threaded ½x28 at the muzzle, compatible with most .22 caliber and .243 Winchester suppressors from Dead Air, SilencerCo, or SureFire. Ensure your suppressor is rated for centerfire rifle pressures up to 52,000 PSI and has a minimum barrel length rating of 16 inches. Thread engagement is 0.625 inches deep—use a suppressor alignment rod before mounting to avoid baffle strikes.
- Does this rifle come with scope mounts installed?
- No, the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla does not include scope bases or rings. The receiver is drilled and tapped for #8-40 screws on a standard Weatherby Vanguard pattern, requiring separate purchase of either Weaver-style bases or a Picatinny rail. I recommend the EGW 20 MOA Picatinny rail (model HD-50420) for long-range shooting, which provides 20 minutes of angle for extended bullet drop compensation.
- What is the magazine compatibility?
- The Camilla uses Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 detachable magazines, specifically the 5-round steel model (Weatherby part #VB00255). These magazines are not interchangeable with the older Vanguard Series 1 or with Howa 1500 magazines despite similar appearance. Replacement magazines cost approximately $45 each and are available directly from Weatherby or authorized dealers like EuroOptic and Brownells.
- How long does shipping take for this rifle?
- Shipping for the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla typically takes 7-10 business days for processing and FFL transfer coordination, plus 3-5 business days for transit via FedEx or UPS. All firearms ship to a licensed FFL holder—provide your local FFL's contact information during checkout. International shipments to Canada require an additional 4-6 weeks for export permits and CBSA clearance.